Raised on sweat and hurt.
Rose so high over the river.
Eating plants! Bah! No Spirit in that, Not like blood-filled liver.”
Many Colored Crow Danced his way into the circle. Nervous warriors shoved each other aside to make a path for him. And following in his shadow, Silver Water marched with her head back, Singing as her face glowed radiantly. In her hands, she carried the long flute.
“You. Born of Father Sun.
Laid in the light, next to night.
Choose, my people.
Dance the Father you don’t know.
South, ever south we go … Find an end to the blowing snow.”
Many Colored Crow whirled and ducked, the Mask ending a bare hand’s width from Star Shell’s face.
‘ ‘, Woman of the People. I hail you and the blood that runs in your veins. Your soul has lingered, Dancing Fox, and I barely would have recognized you in this guise.”
Star Shell slowly shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re saying.”
“One day, when you rise from the logs of your tomb, you will know again. For now, you need only wait. Your way will become clear, Woman of the People. Once again you will nurture and raise a great Dreamer.”
Many Colored Crow wheeled, spinning and spinning, around and around, until he stopped abruptly before Wolf of the Dead.
The Khota war leader stared into that terrible Mask, then fell back a step, breathing hard.
Many Colored Crow leaned forward, peering at the war leader. “You are an abomination, Wolf of the Dead! How dare you parade in the guise of First Man’s Spirit Helper.” His thin arm rose, pointing into the forest where darkness had begun to cling like tar. “Go! The Watcher waits. Wolf Dreamer metes out his own justice, and in this case, I will not argue with my brother. Go!”
Wolf of the Dead’s eyes began to glaze as he backed up a few more paces, until surrounded by a group of his warriors.
He hesitated, his head tilted against hunched shoulders.
Many Colored Crow began whirling again, faster and faster, the fiery brilliance of sunset flickering through his feather ruff in green, blue, and gold. “Grizzly Tooth, I see the last of the Khota, arrogant, proud, and abandoned. Listen, Khota warriors!
All of you! Hear this Song!”
A keening wail rose from Silver Water’s lips as she Sang.
The sense of loss and unbearable despair overwhelmed Star Shell, though she knew none of the words.
“Do you hear, Khota?” Many Colored Crow whispered hoarsely. “Listen to what has become of your people. People you abandoned to follow this foolish leader!”
Among the warriors, the effect of the Song and Many Colored Crow’s voice was palpable. Many gaped, stunned, while others moved away like whipped dogs.
“The Song celebrates your doom! Do you hear? Even now, this Song is being Sung among the Ilini up and down the rivers.
Your wife weeps, Grizzly Tooth, desolate as she receives an Ilini man’s seed. She will bear her new owner’s child—the infant that should have been yours! The Khota are gone! Drowned with the courageous flower of your nation.
“You, who took such pride in your arrogance, now find the Spiral turned full circle. What were Ilini lands once are Ilini lands again. Families who were slaves now enslave your families.
“Hear the lamentations of your children? They will grow up Ilini in nature and belief. It was you who followed Wolf of the Dead when he took the cunning Water Fox’s bait! The wailing of your families began with the storm that blew in out of the dark night. It worsened when your cousins’ drowned corpses bobbed on the surface of the Fresh Water Seal The Ilini have killed your brothers and fathers and enslaved your women and children … because you … you abandoned them.”
Many Colored Crow flapped around, pointing and cawing.
“Which of you remains to pollute my sight? Leave here! Disperse!
Do you wish to join your dead clansmen? Many Colored Crow has spoken!”
Several of the warriors on the outermost edges of the circle fled in panic, quietly disappearing into the forest.
In that moment, courage seemed to return to Wolf of the Dead. He began shouting in rage. Star Shell couldn’t understand a word of it.
One Arm licked his dry lips, glanced around at the dwindling numbers, and in Trade pidgin, yelled, “I told you! I told you we shouldn’t cross Many Colored Crow! I’m leaving!” He threw down his war club, bravely turned his back and stalked off up the bank of the river. Another pair of men did likewise and followed him, no one speaking, each with his back straight and stiff, as if expecting the impact of darts.
As though he wanted Many Colored Crow to understand, Grizzly Tooth bellowed in pidgin: “You cowards! You fear an idiot wearing a mask. You should have drowned in place of your brave friends. You are gutless dogs!”